13th Annual NSRF Winter Meeting
January 15-17, 2009
Houston, Texas
Winter Meeting Participant Message
Introduction to the National School Reform Faculty
The work of the National School Reform Faculty (NSRF) is rooted in our mission to foster educational and social equity and is characterized by the concepts of critical friendship, facilitative leadership, and the development of professional learning communities. Our network of educators in schools and districts across the country is guided by these concepts and driven by our mission.
Teachers, kept isolated from each other by structures and strong cultural norms, need and deserve access to the time and the processes that will help them to learn with and from each other to address the challenges they face in their classrooms every day. We believe that the enormous untapped potential in every school is the key to increasing student achievement and ensuring that schools do not recreate the inequities of our wider society.
NSRF’s program empowers teachers and school leaders to form small, professional learning communities, called Critical Friends Groups (CFGs), which provide the opportunity, support, and collective expertise necessary to make real and lasting improvements in schools as evidenced by increases in student achievement. NSRF provides the high-quality professional development and sustained support for the creation of CFGs, from seminars on creating collaborative communities, learning from student work, facilitative leadership, educational equity and reflective practice, to ongoing support needed for CFG sustainability.
The Winter Meeting
The NSRF Winter Meeting is an annual gathering of teachers, administrators and educational leaders from across the country that are involved in or curious about NSRF’s program and practices. Those who are new to the work of NSRF are encouraged to also attend the one-day pre-conference, “Core Principles of Critical Friendship,” to prepare them for the Winter Meeting experience.
Winter Meeting participants work together in small groups of 15-20 called home groups, replicating CFGs, where they work closely with a pair of experienced NSRF Facilitators. Home group facilitators work with group members to tailor the work of the group to address individual needs and areas of interest. Groups are formed to allow maximum impact and relevance to participants at all levels of experience with NSRF’s program. As a Winter Meeting participant, you will have the opportunity to present and get feedback on substantive work relevant to your needs, and come away with skills and tools to immediately apply in your home setting that will address your individual challenges.
Home groups are a place for professional learning and discourse that embody the characteristics of a CFG. They are a space to see facilitation modeled, build on your own facilitation and critical friendship skills, and add new tools and resources to our collective toolboxes. Home groups will explore the relationship between the work educators do together (whether in CFGs or other professional meetings where facilitative leadership is the operating construct) and the direct impact it has on student learning and educational equity.
Make plans now to join us in January at our annual Winter Meeting to work with old friends and new from around the country who are committed to improving educational opportunities and outcomes for each child toward a more just and equitable society.
Winter Meeting and Pre-Conference Registration
Who Attends?
The Winter Meeting is for trained coaches as well as those who have not gone through a CFG seminar, but who may utilize the tools and practices of NSRF in their local settings such as a PLC, their classroom, etc. For those who are as yet unfamiliar with NSRF practices, we offer the Core Principles of Critical Friendship Pre-Conference, which can be attended on it’s own or in conjunction with the Winter Meeting.
Agenda Overview
Download Full Agenda
Wednesday, Jan. 14th:
Core Principles of Critical Friendship Pre-Conference, 8am-4pm
Research Forum, 8am-4pm
Moving CFGs Online Pre-Conference, 8am-4pm
Thursday, Jan. 15th:
Winter Meeting, 8am-4pm
Friday, Jan. 16th:
Winter Meeting, 8am-4pm
Evening Reception 5-7pm
Saturday, Jan. 17th:
Winter Meeting, 8am-12pm
Centers’ Council Meeting, 2pm-6pm*Registration fees for non-members include annual membership dues.
Registration Fees Member Non-member* Winter Meeting $425 $500 Winter Meeting with Pre-Conference $550 $625 Pre-Conference Only $150 $225
Information on NSRF Membership
Pay registration fees online
Location
InterContinental Houston
2222 West Loop South
Houston, Texas 77027
Map
Hotel Rooms
$159 single or double
Mention "National School Reform Faculty" for group rate.
Rooms available at group rate must be booked before January 5th, 2009
(after deadline rooms revert to $209/night)
Call 713-627-7600 to make reservations.
Pre-Conferences
To complement your Winter Meeting experience, please join us on January 14, 2009, for one of our three concurrent pre-conference sessions:
4th Annual NSRF Research Forum: January 14, 2009, Houston, Texas
This one day forum provides an opportunity to share what we have learned as researchers or practitioners and learn from others about the work of NSRF, CFGs, Coaching for Equity, Facilitative Leadership, and other activities related to the building of intentional learning communities in schools. Participants will have the opportunity to present work and give feedback on the work of others, as well as help shape NSRF’s growing research practices. Kevin Fahey, NSRF’s Research Coordinator, will facilitate this pre-conference. To make a research presentation, please contact Kevin, kfahey@salemstate.edu.
More Information on the Research Forum
Research presented at past Research Forums
Winter Meeting and Pre-Conference Registration
Core Principles of Critical Friendship: January 14, 2009, Houston, Texas
This session will offer an introduction to NSRF’s core principles and practices of critical friendship and facilitative leadership to prepare for the Winter Meeting experience that follows. Together we will explore the purpose and implementation of these principles and practices while experiencing their transformative power. Participants in this session will continue to meet in home groups during the Winter Meeting, at which time we will practice peer observation to deepen our understanding of NSRF work and consider implementing this new learning in our respective work contexts.
Winter Meeting and Pre-Conference Registration
Moving CFGs Online: January 14, 2009, Houston, Texas
This session is for experienced facilitators who are interested in exploring the benefits, strategies, and challenges of conducting CFGs in an online environment. While CFGs have traditionally been face-to-face communities, online environments offer great potential for supporting teachers who are geographically dispersed or who desire a learning community outside their local building. Facilitating in such environments requires an expansion of skill sets beyond those of face-to-face facilitation. This group will analyze successful online sessions, discuss strategies for facilitating online CFGs, and share specific websites that can host online CFGs for free. Laptops are not required, but encouraged if possible. This pre-conference will be facilitated by Julie Moore, Co-Director of the BRIDGE (www.teachersbridge.org), a resource and learning community site for teachers and an outgrowth of the work of the Georgia NSRF Center of Activity.
Winter Meeting and Pre-Conference Registration
Faith Dunne and Nancy Mohr Scholarship Fund
Each year, NSRF keeps a commitment to providing scholarships for Winter Meeting attendees.
Contributions can be made to the Faith Dunne and Nancy Mohr Scholarship Fund and will be designated for NSRF meeting tuition assistance in honor of our friends and colleagues Faith and Nancy. If you are able to contribute to the Faith Dunne and Nancy Mohr Scholarship Fund, please contact our Development Office at 812.334.8379 or click to "Donate" Button below to contribute now.
If you would like to apply for a scholarship, please download the application and return it to nsrf@nsrfharmony.org by December 1, 2008.
Travel Information and Discounts
Flights
We recommend flying into Houston-Hobby Airport (HOU), as it is closest to our hotel.
fly2houston.com/iahHome
Airline Discounts
AIRLINES AT HOBBY-HOUSTON AIRPORT (HOU):
• AirTran: Save 10% each way off the lowest available fare! To receive this discount, call 1-866-683-8368 and use code HOU011409. Valid for travel between January 11th-20th, 2009. Through above toll-free number ONLY- not valid for online purchases.
• JetBlue: Save 5% off the lowest available fare! Use code: NSRFWM when you book online at jetblue.com/promo ONLY. Valid January 12th-19th, 2009.
• American Airlines: Save 5% off the lowest published fare! Use code A5919AN when you book online at aa.com or over the phone at 1-800-433-1790 ($20 ticketing fee applies to fares purchased via phone). Valid January 11th-20th, 2009.
AIRLINES AT GEORGE BUSH INTERCONTINENTAL (IAH):
• American Airlines: Save 5% off the lowest published fare! Use code A5919AN when you book online at aa.com or over the phone at 1-800-433-1790 ($20 ticketing fee applies to fares purchased via phone). Valid January 11th-20th, 2009.
• Continental Airlines: Save 2-15%! Book online to receive an additional 3% off! Book at continental.com and enter ZEY6A5WS90 in the Offer Code Box. You can also book over the phone by calling 800-468-7022 and referring to "Z code" ZEY6 and Agreement Code A5WS90 to receive this discount- $15 service fee applies to all reservations made over the phone. Valid for travel between January 11th-20th, 2009.
• Northwest Airlines: Save 5-15% off the lowest published fare! Use code NM2HW and go to nwa.com or call 1-800-328-1111 to receive this discount. Valid for travel between January 11th-20th, 2009.
Rental Car Discounts
Hertz Rental Car: Call 1-866-683-8368 and ask for Hertz car rentals. Use code HOU011409
Shuttle Discount
Save $2 off a one-way shuttle trip, or $4 off round-trip. Super Shuttle provides transportation between both Houston airports and the InterContinental Hotel. Book online at supershuttle.com and use code UB9DK and refer to "National School Reform Faculty" to receive the discount.
Ground Transportation
Houston-Hobby Airport (HOU)
Distance 16.48 MI / 26.52 KM NORTH WEST to Hotel
Shuttle Charge (one way): $20.00
Taxi Charge (one way): $46.00
Time by taxi: 25-30 minutes
George Bush Intercontinental (IAH)
Distance 26.47 MI / 42.6 KM SOUTH WEST to Hotel
Shuttle Charge (one way): $25.00
Taxi Charge (one way): $56.00
Time by taxi: 30 - 45 minutes
METRO Bus System
From Hobby Airport: Buses depart every hour to hour and a half from curbzone 13 outside the baggage claim on the lower level. Take bus on route 073 "BELLFORT/GALLERIA/VIA TEX MED CTR" WESTBOUND. Exit at stop on Westheimer Road at the Loop. Plan your ride here.
Est. travel time: 1 hour 15 minutes. Fare: $1.00
Driving Directions
From the North
Take I-45 South to Loop 610 West. Continue on 610 West to 610 South and exit at San Felipe/Westheimer. Continue straight on Loop 610 South Frontage Road, through the traffic signals at San Felipe. Hotel is on the right side of Frontage Road.
From the South
Take I-45 North to Loop 610 West. Exit at San Felipe and make a left u-turn underneath the freeway. Hotel is on the right side of Frontage Road.
Hotel Parking
Self parking - $16 overnight
Valet parking - $27 overnight
Self parking - day only- $8
Valet parking - day only- $16
Visitors Information
www.visithoustontexas.com
Video tour of hotel and Houston
Current Winter Meeting Facilitators/Co-Facilitator Pairs
1. Daniel Baron – IN/Karen Owen - TX
2. Magdi Casteneda – FL/Honor Mooreman - TX
3. David Christman- HI/Michael Perez - TX
4. Sara Freedman – MA/Mike Webster - TX
5. Lidia Gazdyszyn – TX/Carol Arnold - TX
6. Sue Horan – IL/Cedric Williams - TX
7. Gene Kadish – VT/Deb McIntyre - TX
8. P. Tim Martindell – TX/Suzanne Sutherland - TX
9. Mary Matthews – TX/Amy Jacobs - TX
10. Donna Reid – TX/ Phil Poekert - FL
11. Eve Rifkin – AZ/Anne Blake - TX
12. Stephen Spring – TX/Chamelia Robinson - TX
13. Carolyn Thibeaux – TX/Leanna Davis - TX
Current Winter Meeting Registrants
1 . Cynthia J. Abram - TX
2 . Susan Adams - IN
3 . Jennifer Aguilar - TX
4 . Alfredo Aguirre - TX
5 . Olga Aleman - TX
6 . Ronda Alexander - MI
7 . Brandi Allen - TX
8 . Dianne Alvarez - TX
9 . Al Andino - NY
10 . Teresa Andress - TX
11 . Tina Angelo - TX
12 . Regina Athnos - CA
13 . Marissa Barbieri - VT
14 . Fred Bay - VT
15 . Diane Benavides - TX
16 . Natalie Berger - NH
17 . Janet Betz - OH
18 . Yexenia Bonilla - TX
19 . Lea Ann Bowman - TX
20 . Tina Boyle - WI
21 . Wendy Brannen - NY
22 . Daniel Braumfield - NY
23 . Angela Breidenstein - TX
24 . Betsy Breier - TX
25 . Berti Brown - TX
26 . David Brown - TX
27 . Bethany Buddy - CA
28 . Sulema Burns - TX
29 . Dwanna Calloway - TX
30 . Jacqui Cantu - TX
31 . Brandon Cardet-Hernandez - NY
32 . Wendi Carpenter - TX
33 . Shera Carter - TX
34 . Sarah Chase - NH
35 . Jay Cherin - TX
36 . Deb Christenson - CA
37 . Barbara Cook - NH
38 . Kim Corrick - TX
39 . Dolly Covington - TX
40 . Paul Cross - TX
41 . Anderson Cruse - TX
42 . Miriam Cruz-Aguila - TX
43 . Mary Cue - TX
44 . Travis Dailey - NY
45 . Nicole Dasant-Ryan - TX
46 . Jay Davis - NH
47 . Kristen Davis - NH
48 . Laura Davis - TN
49 . Martha Daza - TX
50 . Wally de Covarrubia - TX
51 . Mauriciere de Govia - NY
52 . Jenny Deenik - NH
53 . Cesar Diaz - TX
54 . Jessica Dickey - NH
55 . Christopher Dickson - TX
56 . Monica Donaldson - TX
57 . Kady Dupre - TX
58 . Klaire Dustin - CO
59 . Wanda Easter - TX
60 . Zuleyma Escobar - TX
61 . Lindsay Eysnogle - ME
62 . Kevin Fahey - MA
63 . Martha Fields - TX
64 . Lisa Fierman - GA
65 . Linda Fiorella - CO
66 . Katherine Fitch - TX
67 . Denise Flores - TX
68 . Nan Freitas - CA
69 . Crystal Fresco Gifford - NY
70 . Armand Fuentes - TX
71 . Ayanna Gallant - NH
72 . Teresa Garatoni - TX
73 . Leanne Garcia - CO
74 . Rose Garcia - TX
75 . Barbara Geerdes - TX
76 . Sharon Gerstacker - TX
77 . Denise Gill - CA
78 . Mari Glamser - TX
79 . Jessica Godin - CO
80 . Jimmy Gomez - TX
81 . Shevi Govrin - Israel
82 . Paul Gray - TX
83 . Kristin Grosser - CA
84 . Fran Guilfoyle - TX
85 . Ariana Gutierrez - TX
86 . Betsy Hamilton - CA
87 . Jana Harker - TX
88 . Kevin Harris - TX
89 . LaJuande Harvey - TX
90 . Christopher Haskins - RI
91 . Frances Hensley - GA
92 . Julie Hill - TX
93 . Emily Hoffman - CA
94 . Ann Bevan Hollos - MA
95 . Olivia Howe Browne - GA
96 . Stephen Hudson - TX
97 . Beth Hulbert - VT
98 . Laura Hunter - TX
99 . Donna Isaacs - ME
100 . Monte Jackson - CO
101 . Brian James - MA
102 . Joe Johnson - CA
103 . Sepi Johnson - China
104 . Melanie Jones - TX
105 . Heidi Jordan - CO
106 . Kim Kadletz - CA
107 . Michaelann Kelley - TX
108 . Regan Kelly - NY
109 . Cyndi Kerr - NY
110 . Julienne King - TX
111 . Kristen Kludt - CA
112 . Dave Kubela - CA
113 . Deborah Kubiak - TX
114 . Jenny Lai - MA
115 . LaChanda Landry - TX
116 . Ana Lara - TX
117 . De'Vonta Lee - TX
118 . Maureen Lessard - NH
119 . Shannon Lessley - VT
120 . Andrew Lewindowski - TX
121 . Ileana Liberatore - TX
122 . Julie Lindsay - China
123 . June Long - GA
124 . Sarah Loveland - NH
125 . Joanne Lucas - VA
126 . Sandra Luckett - TX
127 . Matthew Ludwig - MI
128 . Douglas Lyons - MA
129 . Margaret Maclean - VT
130 . Jada Magee-Stroud - TX
131 . John Marchino, Jr. - CO
132 . Holly Marich - NV
133 . Eric Markinson - TX
134 . Linda Marquez-Gavilanes - TX
135 . Nancy Marsh - GA
136 . Matthew G Martinez - TX
137 . Karen Mason - NH
138 . Jennifer McBride - TX
139 . Julie McCarthy - MA
140 . Joan McClung - TX
141 . Matt McDonald - NH
142 . Kathleen McIntyre - NH
143 . Linda McKenzie - TX
144 . Betty McManus - WI
145 . Linda McSweeney - VT
146 . Vladimir Mejia - TX
147 . Brooke Merryfield - CA
148 . TJ Middleton - NM
149 . Karla Miller - CO
150 . Terri Miller - TX
151 . Jonett Miniel - TX
152 . Julie Moore - GA
153 . Warren Morales - TX
154 . Gernine Morrissette - TX
155 . Sandi Mueller - TX
156 . Francesca Mulazzi - China
157 . Scott Murphy - CO
158 . Lauren Nguyen - TX
159 . Brooke Nuber - TX
160 . Laura Ortez - TX
161 . Allyson Oswald - VT
162 . Mark Otto - NY
163 . Janet Padilla - MI
164 . Anna Pape - TX
165 . Linda Pepper - CO
166 . Katherine Perry - CA
167 . Iretta Peters - TX
168 . Laura Peynado-Castro - NY
169 . Paula Pierre - TX
170 . Lindsey Pollock - TX
171 . William Pollock - NJ
172 . Sarah Potter - NH
173 . Jasmine Powell - TX
174 . Gloria Price - TX
175 . Jill Reddy - CA
176 . Charlene Reichert - CA
177 . Alejandro Reyes - TX
178 . Josephine Rice - TX
179 . Brigid Rodin - MA
180 . Natalie Rodrigues - NY
181 . Mariya Rodriguez - TX
182 . Lynsey Rowe - NH
183 . Marlene Roy - NY
184 . Susan Sanborn - NH
185 . Stephanie Sandifer - TX
186 . Ginna Schonwald - NH
187 . Deborah Scott - TX
188 . Steve Seaford - CA
189 . Mary Selvas - TX
190 . Jayne Shanklin - TX
191 . Michael Shay - TX
192 . Perlinda Shelton - NM
193 . Kimberlee Sia - IL
194 . Kim Sinclair - CA
195 . Gillian Smith - NY
196 . Joellen Smith - TX
197 . Stephanie Smith - TX
198 . Michael Soguero - CO
199 . Rebecca Speh - CA
200 . Todd Stanley - OH
201 . Janice Stephens - TX
202 . Steven Strull - NY
203 . Heather Swanson - NH
204 . Allana Tang - TX
205 . Janie Terrones - TX
206 . Debera Thomas - TX
207 . Nichole Thompson - TX
208 . Gwen Tompkins - TX
209 . Jess Tremblay - NH
210 . Linda Trendell - TX
211 . Sally Tripp - TX
212 . Hoa Tu - NY
213 . Kimberly Tucker - VA
214 . Jorge Valcarcel - MA
215 . Jason Van Alstine - TX
216 . Shannon Verrett - TX
217 . Pablo Victor - TX
218 . Phyllis Wachob - Egypt
219 . Wanda Walker - TX
220 . Estelia Wallace - TX
221 . Rosie Washington - TX
222 . Diana Watson - NH
223 . Judy Wells - TX
224 . Wilma White - VA
225 . Kathy Whittaker - NH
226 . Elaine Wilkins - TX
227 . Alfred Williams - TX
228 . Emily Williams - CA
229 . Ericka Williams - TX
230 . Fran Williams - TX
231 . Veda Winfree - TX
232 . Curt Wood - TX
233 . Kristina Wylie - NY
234 . Jennifer Yazawa - NM
235 . Laura Yealy - TX
236 . Connie Zimmerman Parrish - GA
Current Core Principles of Criticval Friendship Preconference Registrants
1 . Olga Aleman - TX
2 . Regina Athnos - CA
3 . Bethany Budde - CA
4 . Klaire Dustin - CO
5 . Melanie Evans-Smith - TX
6 . Lindsay Eysnogle - ME
7 . Martha Fields - TX
8 . Leanne Garcia - CO
9 . Jessica Godin - CO
10 . Shevi Govrin - Israel
11 . Monte Jackson - CO
12 . Sepi Johnson - China
13 . Heidi Jordan - CO
14 . Kim Kadletz - CA
15 . Regan Kelly - NY
16 . Julie Lindsay - China
17 . Joanne Lucas - VA
18 . Jada Magee-Stroud - TX
19 . John Marchino, Jr. - CO
20 . Betty McManus - WI
21 . Karla Miller - CO
22 . Linda Pepper - CO
23 . Jill Reddy - CA
24 . Kimberlee Sia - IL
Current Research Forum Preconference Registrants
Facilitator: Kevin Fahey - MA
1 . Susan Adams - IN
2 . Fred Bay - VT
3 . Tina Boyle - WI
4 . Angela Briedenstein - TX
5 . Linn Conway - TX
6 . Sharon Delesbore - TX
7 . Paul Gray - TX
8 . Tai Shan Jackson - TX
9 . Michaelann Kelley - TX
10 . Ileana Liberatore - TX
11 . Holly Marich - NV
12 . Jonett Miniel - TX
13 . Francesca Mulazzi - ME
14 . Donna Reid - TX
15 . Phyllis Wachob - Egypt
Moving CFGs Online Preconference Registrants
Facilitator: Julie Moore - GA
1 . Natalie Berger - NH
2 . David Christman - HI
3 . Linda Fiorella- CO
4 . Donna Isaccs - ME
5 . Margaret MacLean - VT
6. Xernona Martin - TX
7 . Vanessa Nieto-Gomez - TX
8 . Stephanie Sandifer - TX
9 . Linda Trendell - TX
10 . Kimberly Tucker - VA
11 . Cedric Williams - TX
12 . Connie Zimmerman Parrish - GA
Harmony Education Center
PO Box 1787 Bloomington Indiana 47402 • 812.330.2702
nsrf@harmonyschool.org • fax 812.333.3435
Comments: webmaster@harmonyschool.org
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